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Connections

Connections: Actor Sean Astin on eliminating the stigma of mental illness

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Those individuals are family members, friends, neighbors and community members; perhaps everyone knows someone who is struggling with a mental health issue.

Actor Sean Astin lived with a parent struggling with bipolar disorder. His mother was acclaimed actress Patty Duke, who devoted much of her life to reducing the stigma of mental illness. Now, Astin is doing the same. He’s coming to Rochester as a guest of East House’s annual Hope and Recovery Luncheon where he’ll share his story and message, but first, he joins us on Connections.

We also talk with representatives from East House about recovery, how to care for caregivers, how to eliminate the stigma of mental illness, and more. Our guests:

  • Sean Astin, actor and advocate for mental health awareness
  • Kim Brumber, president and CEO of East House
  • Chuck Montante, board member for East House and president of Westfall Associates
  • Beth Bloom, peer support specialist at East House

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Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.
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